Other States - Orissa   

CAG to probe ‘lapses’ in job scheme

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on Monday said that Comptroller Auditor General of India would inquire into alleged irregularities under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in six districts of Orissa.

Reacting on revelation of irregularities by a non-government organisation, Mr. Singh said the CAG was conducting audit into irregularities in NREGS in 69 districts of the country and it had been asked to check the veracity of allegation in Orissa’s six districts.

“We are expected to receive the inquiry report by October. Moreover, we have asked the State government to conduct inquiry separately. Whosever found guilty, will be punished,” said the Union minister.

He said the ministry was working on five-point action programme to minimise corruption in NREGS.

“We are emphasising on awareness, people’s participation, strict vigilance and monitoring, transparency and accountability to prevent corruption. We have also adopted zero tolerance in our approach,” Mr. Singh said.

Delhi-based Centre for Environment and Food Security (CEFS) conducted a survey in May-June 2007 to assess and evaluate the performance of NREGA in 100 villages spread over six districts of KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) region -- Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada.

The CEFS found that out of Rs. 733 crores spent on NREGA during 2006-07, more than Rs. 500 crores had been siphoned and misappropriated by the government officials of implementing agencies.

Mr. Singh came here to attend a two-day performance review committee (PRC) meeting being held here.

He was accompanied by two Ministers of State --Chandra Sekhar Sahu and Smt Suryakanta Patil.

According to the Ministry, in 2006-07, as against demand of 14.07 lakh families, 13.94 lakh families were given jobs and Rs. 733.46 crores had been utilised against available funds to the tune of Rs. 890.01 crores.

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